As a huge fan of open-world games, I’ve always thought about how important maps are. They’re something we just expect to be there, but honestly, they’re what make the whole experience work! They quietly hold everything together, and the entire game really depends on them – it’s like the buns on a hamburger, you don’t think about them much, but take them away and everything falls apart!
We all know open spaces are important for games focused on exploration. However, I believe we often underestimate just how crucial they are – they’re not just a good feature, but what truly separates excellent exploration games from the truly outstanding ones.
There are very few video game maps that players still remember and talk about years later, and the majority of those are from open-world games.
Recognizing how important maps are to the open-world genre, I’ve put together a list of the ten best ones.
10. Yakuza 0
Kamurocho Steals Your Heart
Kamurocho in Yakuza 0 isn’t like many other game maps. It’s not a large, open space for wandering – it’s a remarkably dense and bustling city.
Beyond just looking like a typical Japanese city, what really stands out is how many things are happening all around you, creating a feeling of being in a real, vibrant place.
When it comes to games set in fantastical worlds, we usually don’t worry about realistic details like how many people live in a city or how busy it is. However, Yakuza 0 is different – it really captures what it feels like to be in the real-life district of Kabukicho.
What truly stands out is how seamlessly everything in the game – the stories, missions, conversations, and even the city itself – works together to create a powerful sense of place and convey the game’s themes. The design is exceptional, and it fosters a surprising level of connection, almost like you’re experiencing your own familiar neighborhood.
9. Dragon’s Dogma 2
The Power of Mythology
Even though I mentioned earlier that I usually focus on the goal of a game, I really appreciate titles where exploring the world is just as fun. That’s why Dragon’s Dogma 2 definitely deserves a spot on this list.
Vermund and Battahl aren’t just two different areas; they’re full of towns, hidden caves, challenging bosses, secrets to uncover, and stunning scenery. Even the journey between them is a thrilling experience.
Because quick travel options are scarce, you’ll spend a lot of time learning the landscape – figuring out potential dangers and where to find useful items or enemies. This really makes you feel like a hero struggling to survive in a war-torn, post-apocalyptic world.
From facing down wolves and a powerful lich, to relaxing by a campfire and finally arriving at a besieged city, Dragon’s Dogma 2 consistently delivers amazing moments – whether you’re playing for an hour or fifty. That’s what makes it such a fantastic game.
8. Death Stranding
The Post-Apocalypse Can be Beautiful
When it comes to post-apocalyptic stories, Death Stranding really stands out to me. It tackles the idea of the end of the world in a unique way, unlike games like Fallout and The Last of Us.
Even though the game still involves familiar elements like gathering resources and building settlements, Kojima Productions sets it apart by focusing on the challenges of simply moving through the world. This makes the landscape and weather conditions feel incredibly important to the overall experience.
The game is visually stunning, with each scene more beautiful than the last, and the fantastic Photo Mode is incredibly addictive. However, what truly makes it special is how the visuals work with the immersive sound design and gameplay, where knowing the map inside and out is key to success.
At its heart, Death Stranding is about choosing the right vehicle for your journey, learning the lay of the land and where dangers lurk, skillfully avoiding enemy camps, and appreciating the unique beauty of each environment. This applies to both the story and how you actually play the game.
7. Assassin’s Creed 2
An Attractive Renaissance
Look, there were so many things I loved about the early Assassin’s Creed games, but what really grabbed me was how they let you explore history. And honestly, nothing beat wandering around Italy in Assassin’s Creed 2. It just felt incredible.
As a fan, I’m just blown away by how everything comes together in this game. The buildings, the streets, even what the characters wear, plus the way they blend nature and city life… it all mixes perfectly with the fantasy setting. It’s not just pretty to look at, it really makes the whole experience so much richer and more immersive.
The game truly brings parkour to life, making exploration incredibly fun and unique. It also beautifully captures the spirit of the Renaissance, letting you appreciate the art, technology, sculpture, and mathematics of the time.
Assassin’s Creed 2 brilliantly blends historical reality with fictional storytelling, and the way it portrays cities like Florence is truly remarkable. Even now, recalling the breathtaking panoramic views you get while using Eagle Vision sends shivers down my spine – and that really captures the game’s magic.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Middle Ages were Never so Astonishing
It’s really hard to build a video game world that feels expansive, believable, and truly alive. That’s why The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been so widely praised – it successfully achieves all three.
The game isn’t just visually impressive with its detailed medieval world – a place you’d almost want to live in, if it weren’t for the griffins! – it’s the way everything feels connected and thoughtfully designed that’s truly remarkable.
Exploring the diverse lands of Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige – with their differences in nature, cities, politics, and culture – creates a truly epic feeling. It’s the kind of grand scope you typically only experience while reading a book, as it’s rare to find such a world brought to life so vividly.
It’s remarkable enough on its own, but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt truly shines because of how it weaves everything together – through conversations with characters, the quests you undertake, and the way your choices matter. This creates a world where everything feels connected and alive, and it’s something we haven’t seen matched in other games.
It’s been over a decade since its release, and no game has yet come close to matching the incredible detail and vastness of CD Projekt RED’s creation. If it weren’t for the frustratingly awkward horse riding, it would be very difficult for any game to surpass it.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
Realism Taken to the Extreme
As a gamer, I’ve always wanted games to feel more real, and honestly, nothing has nailed that feeling quite like Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s just on another level when it comes to making you feel like you’re actually there.
The game’s beautiful natural landscapes, filled with vibrant plants and animals, are a striking contrast to its realistic towns populated by memorable people. This combination makes it incredibly immersive, and slipping into the role of an outlaw feels completely natural.
It’s captivating when a world feels completely real, with intricate details and a remarkable level of accuracy in everything – how things move, how people act, and even the weather. This immersive quality comes from how closely it mirrors our own reality.
Leaving aside the latest technology, Red Dead Redemption 2 truly feels like stepping back in time. It’s an incredible game for so many reasons, and I especially love the towns of Valentine and Saint-Denis.
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Immersion like Never Before
Picture this: it’s 2011, you’re a 13-year-old who’s grown up playing games like PES, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto. Then you discover The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and it’s so captivating that you decide you want to start writing about video games.
That last paragraph explained why I think Bethesda’s greatest game deserves its place on this list – it’s simply unmatched in how fully it immerses you in its world.
Whether it’s the differences between Skyrim’s various regions, groups, characters, and foes, or the many hidden stories and quests throughout its vast world, everything points to Skyrim being one of the best open-world games ever made.
It’s not surprising this game has captivated me more than any other—I’ve spent so much time in its world that I even turned off the on-screen display just to explore. I love getting lost in the atmosphere, stumbling upon bandits, and uncovering ancient secrets hidden in forgotten crypts.
Skyrim boasts both a massive world to explore and a deeply detailed history, thanks to its rich mythology. The story is so extensive that you could spend years uncovering its secrets, and that depth is especially noticeable in the latest game.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Pinnacle of Dynamism
I always feel like when people talk about open-world games, they have to acknowledge things aren’t totally free because everything has limits. But honestly, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild just feels different – it really does feel like you can do almost anything.
As a huge fan, I have to say the way this game builds its version of Hyrule is incredible. Every open world game has its limits in terms of things you can do and see, but this one hides those limitations so well – it genuinely feels vast and full of life, better than anything I’ve ever played.
When it comes to games that feel limitless, nothing matches the impact of Ocarina of Time. It’s the one title that truly captures that initial, childlike wonder we all experienced when we first realized the power of video games – a feeling that’s hard to recapture.
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What makes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild truly special is its ability to make the world feel brand new, almost as if you’re experiencing everything for the very first time, like a baby discovering the sensation of touch.
Ultimately, all of this works because the game is an open world, but that open world is carefully designed – a detailed playground where, as a side effect, you happen to be saving the world.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
The Liveliest City of All
Despite the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077 and the many updates it needed, the game now showcases CD Projekt RED’s skill in creating compelling open-world experiences, solidifying their position as a leader in the genre.
While The Witcher takes place in a traditional medieval world, Cyberpunk 2077‘s Night City is a dense, futuristic place built upwards. Countless skyscrapers and underground areas block the view of the horizon, which is constantly obscured by ads and billboards.
The environment is striking, not just visually and aurally enhancing the story, but also because it impacts how you play. It trades some of the fast-paced action of Geralt’s journey for a greater focus on grand visuals and impressive scope.
Players have less freedom to make choices, but the game world itself becomes much more important. Night City and its areas fully embody the themes, goals, and even the criticisms within Cyberpunk 2077, providing both incredible entertainment and sharp commentary.
I thought I’d done everything in this game – all the side quests, checked off every little goal, bought all the properties, and driven every vehicle. But honestly, I still find myself wanting to jump back in and explore more. It’s rare for an open-world game to have that kind of pull, you know?
1. Elden Ring
The Ultimate Interactive Fantasy
Although it doesn’t have quite the same level of freedom as Breath of the Wild, the packed detail of Cyberpunk 2077, or the sheer number of things to do in Skyrim, I firmly believe that the world of Elden Ring, known as The Lands Between, is the greatest video game map ever created.
In over 20 years of playing games, including a decade as a video game journalist, I’ve never felt such a strong sense of amazement and curiosity with every new place I found – and that’s just talking about the landscapes themselves.
Wow, exploring the Lands Between is just incredible. From dropping down to the Siofra River to finally reaching Leyndell, and then uncovering the mysteries of Farum Azula, or even just teleporting over to Caelid… I’ve never played a game with so many different places to discover. Each area isn’t just visually unique, but huge, with tons of hidden spots and secrets. You really have to learn the lay of the land, figuring out how everything connects, and honestly, it’s amazing. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced!
As you explore further, you’ll discover places like Stormveil Castle, the Academy of Raya Lucaria, and Volcano Manor. You can easily spend twenty hours in each one, happily getting lost in their intricate network of halls, stairs, and elevators. You’ll quickly begin to appreciate the incredible scope and detail these locations offer – a level of design unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
While Elden Ring might not have the same level of detailed environments, bustling communities, or varied activities as other open-world games, it intentionally prioritizes its expansive map. Because of this focused design, it’s clear to me which game excels in creating a compelling world to explore.
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2026-01-06 17:43